Wantage Children's Books Festival

14/05/2026

18/04/2026

Starting a completely new, free festival has only been possible because of the amazing support we’ve had from our sponsors, so we thought it was time to tell you a bit more about them!

Our principal sponsor (who’s supported us financially, and kindly hosted us on their website) are Wantage Literary Festival, so here are a few words from Ben Dreyer, Chair of Trustees:

“We have always had a schools’ programme at the Wantage Literary Festival so it’s been thrilling to see this develop into a whole day of events for children and their families. It’s great to see that the new festival is completely free so it’s accessible for all and, launching in 2026, the National Year of Reading, has been perfect timing. We are thankful to all of the team that have pulled this together for the Wantage community to enjoy.”

Thank you so much, Wantage Literary Festival! More news in our other sponsor to follow…

15/04/2026

Join bestselling author and Netflix sensation, JONATHAN STROUD to explore magical worlds, discover terrifying beasts and travel on an unmissable adventure! In this fun-filled, interactive event for the whole family, Jonathan will talk about his different series - Lockwood & Co, Bartimaeus and Scarlett and Browne, what life is like as an author, and where he gets his inspiration.

Jonathan will give the audience a look at the Lockwood graphic novel hot-off-the-press and an exclusive sneak peek at his Top Secret new project! Plus, find out more about Jonathan’s new role as Patron of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, a national reading charity!

Wantage Children’s Books Festival is on Saturday 30 May 2026 at The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, Oxon OX12 9LX. Tickets are free but must be reserved so head to the link in our bio!

08/04/2026

Have you spotted the WANTAGE CHILDREN’s BOOKS FESTIVAL banners springing up in town?

08/04/2026

It’s time to meet the next WCBF author - it’s bestselling early years writer and campaigner, CAMILLA REID (who also happens to be the festival’s Artistic Director ☺️)!

Camilla will be giving us a super fun, multi-sensory reading event for babies, toddlers and their favourite big people! Drawing from her bestselling books for preschoolers, including the Pip and Posy stories, the Peekaboo books, the Dot series and many more, this event is designed to build family confidence around sharing books and reading.

The session will be relaxed and friendly - and audience participation very much encouraged! Camilla will share her top tips for grown-ups who want to get the most from reading and sharing stories with their children - and there’ll be time for you and your little one to cuddle up with a book in our cosy baby and toddler reading room afterwards.

07/04/2026

5,4,3,2,1... are you ready for lift-off with out-of-this-world author-illustrator ALEX T SMITH and his Astrid and the Space Cadets series?

Join Alex at the WANTAGE CHILDREN’S BOOKS FESTIVAL as he introduces Astrid Atomic, a 6-year-old, who goes to bed every night just like every other 6-year-old. But unlike other 6-year-olds she doesn’t stay there. The minute the lights are off and the coast is clear the Space Cadet siren goes off, her uniform goes on, and - WHOOSH! - she blasts off on board the spaceship STARDUST!

Alex will lead a cosmic draw-along and tell us all about Astrid and her friends and their crazy, adventurous missions! He’ll also talk about how he comes up with ideas and adventures for his characters, and how he creates both the illustrations and stories for his books. Bring your pads and pens!

Perfect for all 5-7 year olds ❤️🚀🧑‍🚀

Wantage Children’s Books Festival is on Saturday 30 May 2026 at The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, Oxon OX12 9LX. Tickets are free but must be reserved so head to the link in our bio!

07/04/2026

Wantage’s first-ever children’s books festival will be taking place at The Beacon in Wantage on Saturday 30 May! With exciting author events and illustrator workshops, there’s something for every young reader from babies to teens.

Tickets are FREE, but must be reserved so head to our website (in our bio) to book your seat now!

We can’t wait to see you there!

04/04/2026

Our next event will be from award-winning author-illustrator, CARLY GLEDHILL, (the talent behind all the supercool illustrations for the WCBF poster and social media!) who’ll be reading from her funny and charming picture book, PENCIL’S BEST STORY EVER!

Pencil has written The Best Story Every and he can’t wait to share it. But when Pencil’s characters refuse to stick to the story, chaos unfolds. Can Pencil pull his story back on track so that everyone can enjoy it?

Join Carly, Pencil and his cast of unruly characters for an inspiring, fun-filled event which celebrates creativity, friendship and resilience. Perfect for young creatives aged 3-6 years - and everyone will get to make their very own Pencil character to take home, too!

02/04/2026

02/04/2026

Introducing our next wonderful author - it’s superstar SERENA PATEL, the bestselling creator of the massively popular PIA’s PET CLUB stories!

Serena will be giving us a playful, pet‑themed workshop celebrating the Pia’s Pet Club books, packed with hands‑on crafts, fun activities, and plenty of time to chat with Serena herself. Children aged 5+ will make their own pet‑inspired creations, explore the world of Pia and her friends, and enjoy a relaxed book signing afterwards too.

Wantage Children’s Books Festival is on Saturday 30 May 2026 at The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, Oxon OX12 9LX. Tickets are free but must be reserved so head to the link in our bio!